Question

The presence of granaries at Harappan sites most likely implies which of the following about their agricultural practices?

• A. Surplus Production
• B. Plantation Farming
• C. Shifting Cultivation
• D. Nomadic Lifestyle

Hint:

Granaries = surplus grain. Surplus production supports urban life, trade, and population growth—hallmarks of advanced civilization.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The discovery of granaries at major Harappan sites such as Mohenjodaro and Harappa suggests that the Indus Valley Civilization had developed a system of storing excess agricultural produce. Granaries are large storage structures designed to preserve grains and protect them from pests, moisture, and spoilage over long periods.
Their existence strongly indicates that the Harappans not only practiced settled agriculture but also produced more than they needed for immediate consumption—i.e., surplus production. This surplus would have supported urbanization, trade, and specialization of labor.
Other options are less plausible:

• Plantation farming is associated with colonial commercial agriculture and is not relevant to Harappan practices.
• Shifting cultivation involves moving from one plot to another and does not require large storage.
• A nomadic lifestyle does not support permanent structures like granaries.